I am now back in lovely Brisbane for a few months. I would normally do a Pop Up shop soon, but I have changed the way I am going to do it. Instead of a Pop Up a couple of times a year I am going to open the door at Sarva once a week. I will open every Saturday from 10.30am until 2.30pm.

The foot traffic in the street has increased since a couple of new restaurants have opened beside us. In the last few Pop Ups I have noticed more locals dropping in, which is great.

Sarva and I will be making new things each week and we hope you will come to visit us. Sarva is busy every day making to measure and doing alterations and normally you need to ring the bell to enter the shop, but on Saturdays I will be there with the door open.

Here is what’s new at Sarva this week.

We still have linen and cotton summer clothes for sale, with more coming each week.

I admit to being surprised and horrified that Starbucks would come to Italy. In my humble opinion I think Italy has the best coffee in the world. Why would they need Starbucks?

On the way back to Australia I stayed a couple of days in Milan so I decided to see for myself what the new addition to Milan’s coffee scene looks like.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened on 7th September in the stunning Poste building in Piazza Cordusio in the centre of Milan, not far from the glorious Duomo.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon to find a queue that stretched around the corner. We didn’t join it.

The following morning we went back early and found it almost empty.

The interior is huge and amazing. No expense has been spared. It is said to be the most beautiful Starbucks in the world. I have only visited a few fairly ordinary looking Starbucks in New York, so I can’t really compare them, but the Milan offering is spectacular.

There is a giant fully functioning coffee roaster, an enormous main bar, a mezzanine bar where specialty cocktails are made and a bakery with wood fired oven…a lot to take in.

A clackerboard lets you know what type of coffee is being roasted.

A floor to ceiling brass wall is engraved with a representation of Starbucks history.

In front of the wall is Starbucks merchandise for sale.

The seating is either on high stools or on chairs with low tables, neither of which appeals to me.

The pastries looked delicious.

We ordered a plain croissant and one filled with frittata, both were excellent.

The coffee came in a large mug. I prefer a smaller cup as there is far too much milk in a mug. At least it wasn’t served in a huge paper cup. The 2 croissants and 2 coffees cost €18. At my local cafe in Bagni di Lucca the same things would have cost around €5. I guess you are paying for the experience.

The staff appear to be chosen for their good looks and ethnic diversity. They were cheerful and eager to please.

We went to the bathroom downstairs with its impressive wash basin which sits between 2 rows of toilets.

Strangely there are only 4 female and 4 male toilets for a place that holds a lot of people. There was already a queue before we left as the building filled up quickly in the short time we were there.

There is far too much to take in on one visit and the photos don’t do it justice. I will probably return for another look out of curiosity, but I prefer smaller bars where after a couple of visits the barista gets to know you and you become a local. It will be interesting to see how Starbucks fares once the novelty wears off.

Vintage fairs can be a lot of fun in Italy. The fair in Lugo takes over much of the centre of town.

Lugo is a town in Emelia Romagna, between Bologna and Ravenna. The dominant landmark in the centre of the town is the Rocca Estense, which now houses the Town Hall. Its dungeon of Uguccione della Faggiola dates from 1298, while most of the architectural features are from 16th century.

Another prominent structure in Lugo is the monument to Francesco Baracca (1936), an aviator hero of WWI.

The Paviglione lies opposite the fortress and beside Francesco Baracca. It was built in the 18th century. It is an imposing square surrounded by loggias on its four sides.

This is the heart of the vintage fair. From here stalls radiate out into the surrounding streets.

There is lots to offer the vintage enthusiast…here is a small sample.

Of course there are lots of great places to take a break for coffee or lunch, including a few cute temporary offerings.

There is also an excellent permanent vintage shop in Lugo, A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage Palace. Here 3 floors are stacked with a wonderful collection of vintage clothing and accessories. The top floor has a historic archive, not for sale, but can be rented for creative research, fashion shoots and exhibitions. Fashion professionals and researchers can visit the archive by booking an appointment.

If this isn’t enough vintage for you, there is another vintage fair coming up in Forli.

Pietrasanta is one of my favourite towns in Italy. I try to fit in a few visits whenever I am here. I am never disappointed.

We were in town for the last day of the butterflies. They were being taken down as we walked along the main street .

In the main piazza wonderful art pieces are on display.

There are other things dotted around the town.

I love this doorway.

The bell tower in the piazza is spectacular.

For the first time we found it open and could see the amazing interior. The tower is 36 metres tall and was begun in 1519. There are 100 steps inside and there are 3 full turns in the spiral steps. It is believed that Michelangelo was involved in the design of the tower.

We had lunch at 41, where we have eaten several times before. The food is always good.

The piazza looked quite different after lunch when the sculptures were shining in the sun.

I’m sure there will be time for at least one more visit to Pietrasanta before I go home.

Our lovely friend Jim cycled into Ponte a Serraglio yesterday afternoon after his marathon 7 day cycle (8 if you count the day he had to take a train back to his previous stop that pick up vital equipment left behind) from Switzerland. He cycled 660 kilometres.

Jim did the ride to raise money for the Beaumond House Community Hospice to thank them for the special treatment they gave to his beautiful wife Liz, who wanted to spend her last days at home with her family. Without their help this would not have been possible.

Here is Jim happily arriving at Bar Italia.

Jim and Liz have been a popular part of the Ponte a Serraglio community for several years and there was a welcoming committee and a cool drink waiting for Jim.

We have been following his journey on his Facebook page. His son-in-law Duncan accompanied him on the first 3 days then he was on his own.

Jim achieved much more than his goal. What a wonderful tribute to his beloved Liz.

I am delighted to be back at Casa Debbio. Filippo has done a wonderful job of taking care of the house and garden in our absence over summer.

On my first morning I awoke to mist covering the village below.

It soon cleared to become a glorious sunny day.

On the second morning a golden light appeared, highlighting the beginning of autumn colour.

The garden is beginning to fade after the summer, but it still looks great. The geraniums are still thriving.

There are a few tomatoes left on the vines.

We have some kiwi fruit.

The quince tree has produced quite a bit of fruit.

The pink roses at the back of the house are still growing.

Wild goats and deer have chewed off all the roses in front of the house.

Wisteria is growing well over our pergola. It should provide plenty of shade by next summer.

I can’t get enough of the views from Casa Debbio.

Soon I will start pruning the 300 lavender plants and several other things that need a trim.

Casa Debbio will be available for rent next year. Please share with anyone who might like to spend some time in the glorious mountains of northern Tuscany. I would like to see someone enjoy a couple of months at the house and experience an authentic Italian village.

Just 100 people live in Vergemoli. It is a pretty village with well kept houses and gardens. There are few foreign visitors, but in summer lots of families return to houses which have been in the family for generations to enjoy the wonderful weather and take part in the summer parties and celebrations. Our guests are invited to join in and are welcomed into this delightful little community.

I love my stopovers in Helsinki on the way to Italy. It feels like coming home. I am now very familiar with the city and enjoy visiting my favourite places.

The weather was a bit overcast, but the temperature was good, perfect for wandering.

First stop was Johan and Nystrom for a coffee and an interesting breakfast.

The view of the harbour is lovely from here.

Esplanadi park never disappoints. Summer is over and it is officially autumn, but the gardens are still looking pretty.

The change of season is coming.

Street plantings in Helsinki are beautiful.

Lunch at Fazer.

There is always something new for me to discover in Helsinki. This time it is the new gallery Amos Rex. It is underground on the site of an old bus station. The above ground bit is stunning and creating a lot of interest…a novel way to get light into the gallery below.

Here is the entrance to the gallery. The guide book I was given is written in Finnish, so I can’t give too much information, but come for a walk through the rooms.

The first room is called Black Waves. Ever changing waves surround you.

The next is called Graffiti Nature: Lost, immersed and Reborn. Here in an enchanted garden the viewer, part of the scene, wants to reach out and touch the plants and wandering creatures.

Walk on to the Vortex of Light Particles. I felt as if I was inside a jellyfish.

In the last of the special effects rooms…Crows are Chased and the Chasing Corws are Destined to be Chased as well, Transcending Space…the audience is invited to stand for 4 minutes and listen and watch.

There is a more traditional room with impressionist art, the collection of Sigurd Fosterus. He admired and collected Colourism that emerged in Europe in the first half of the 20th century.

The collection is amongst the earliest significant private collections of foreign and domestic modern art in Finland mostly gathered between 1905 and 1915 when Fosterus was an active art critic and essayist.

On the way out I noticed a few things I had not seen on the way in. The ceiling is stunning.